Everything They Don’t Tell You Before You Go Abroad
Studying abroad is a phrase that always sounded like a dream to me. 3 months ago I drove to JFK Airport, and the next thing I knew, I was thrown into a whirlwind of excitement and new adventures. Studying abroad in Galway so far has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience and has definitely lived up to the hype. Although I heard many people share their study abroad experiences with me, there were many aspects of this journey that I was not prepared for. Here is everything that I learned along the way.
Packing:
Traveling to a new country for 4 months is something that one suitcase simply cannot handle. Make sure you pack efficiently. Think of essentials because you will want to shop all around Europe and bring home fun new clothes. If something doesn't fit in your suitcase, you can always buy it when you get there. Don’t waste space packing a hair dryer or straightener when you can buy or order one once you get there. This space can be filled with shoes or a bag that you will need while traveling.
Independence:
The first thing that I realized during my 3 months abroad is that you have to be independent. My friends and I quickly recognized how different class registration is for abroad students. This is something we were not prepared for. Fairfield is a small university with lots of support. Going from a small college to a school with 19,000 students is a major change. You realize that you have to figure out a lot of things by yourself, because the staff does not host one-on-one meetings as small universities do.
Classes:
Classes abroad should be classes that allow for you to still experience travel and fun in your country of choice. Try to avoid Friday classes at all costs. You will want to travel; having a Friday off makes a big difference in travel time. This gives you an entire extra night to explore a new city. Extra time spent in a new city makes such a difference, and allows you to feel less rushed during trips.
Budgeting:
YOU WILL SPEND A LOT OF MONEY. I was always told that people spend money abroad, but didn’t realize how much. You will want to travel around your original destination, and visit surrounding countries- because this is the only time in your life that you are able to explore so many countries in such little time. In all honesty, besides paying for traveling expenses, I spend most of my money on food and drinks. Currently, I am in Ireland and I want to go to pubs that play Irish music and have locals screaming and dancing to Rattlin Bog. Make sure you come with money saved and ready to spend.
New Faces:
One thing I did not understand before going abroad is how quickly the new people you meet become family. The Fairfield program to Galway this year only consisted of 9 students. 9 Students. There were people on this trip that I had never met that are now some of my closest friends. Be open to meeting people and making new friends. Many people I know, including myself, go abroad with a close friend or two. Yet, one of the best parts of traveling abroad is meeting new people. You are going to be in a new country filled with new people, new adventures, and new memories. You should be making constant new friends along the way.
Travel:
One of the most talked about parts during Study Abroad is country hopping. In my case, sadly, I am not allowed to leave my original country due to COVID-19. However, my friends and I did not let this rule stop us from getting the most out of our time abroad. We decided that if we could travel outside of Ireland, we would at least see as much within the border as we possibly could. Take advantage of any and all travel opportunities that you can.
FOMO:
Social media is obviously a major form of communication with friends and family nowadays. Seeing all of your friends back at school having a good time WILL cause a little homesickness. You will be in bed and watching videos of friends at the beach back at school, and you'll start to think about everything you are missing out on. Any time I feel this way, I just remind myself that there is no other time in my life that I would be able to experience new cultures in the way that I am now.
All in all, I would recommend this experience to anyone who asked. The incredible opportunities and new friends that this program allowed me to gain has made me so thankful that I decided to go abroad. Studying abroad can seem scary when you think about living 3000+ miles from home, but the countless adventures that you endure make up for temporary homesickness or feelings of missing out. Take the leap- explore a new country and form incredible new friendships.
Cheers
-Sophia Mascia
